A near southside apartment development that would include housing for homeless young people has received a key endorsement from Milwaukee officials.

Clarke Square Apartments would feature a pair of three-story buildings, with 23 units at the southeast corner of W. Vieau Place and S. 24th St., and 17 units at the northeast corner of W. Mineral and S. 24th streets. Those sites are just south and north of Clarke Square Park.

The Common Council's Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee on Tuesday voted 5-0 to recommend approval to the full council. The council will meet on Feb. 7.

The proposed $7.5 million project would set aside around 10 of its 40 apartments for youth who have turned 18 and have "aged out" of the foster care system. The remaining units would be provided at below-market rents to families earning less than 60% of the local median income.

The apartments would be developed by Journey House, which provides social services in the Clarke Square area, and Cardinal Capital Management Inc.

"This is a catalytic project that will help change and uplift the neighborhood," said Michele Bria, Journey House chief executive officer.

Some neighborhood residents are opposed, saying 47 parking spaces planned for the two buildings aren't enough. That number exceeds the city's requirements, and Bria told committee members there would be a nearby surface lot for additional parking if needed.

Opponents also have said they're concerned about the former foster care youth and people visiting them.

The former foster care residents receive social services from Milwaukee County and Journey House, and the new apartments would be within three blocks of Journey House's offices, 2110 W. Scott St.

There have been no major problems at two small Clarke Square neighborhood apartment buildings that Journey House operates for former foster care youth, say group officials and Ald. Bob Donovan, whose district includes the development site.

Former foster care residents must pursue an education or have a job to qualify for an apartment, and are limited to a one-year lease. That helps them learn to live independently.

"If you don't have an address," Bria said, "it's pretty hard to get a job."

The committee also approved plans for another Clarke Square neighborhood project: redeveloping a 116,000-square-foot former Pick 'n Save supermarket, 1818 W. National Ave.

The mostly vacant building will be renovated for the headquarters of Wantable Inc., an e-commerce company that plans to move there by year's end from 112 E. Mineral St. in Walker's Point.

Also, a local supermarket group, the name of which hasn't yet been disclosed, plans to open a grocery store at the building. One source, who asked not to be named, said it would likely be operated by El Rey.

Wantable, with around 80 employees, is a subscription-box retailer, offering packages of makeup, accessories and other items monthly. The building could eventually house up to 400 Wantable employees.